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I'm sure I'll be accused of a variety of things for trying to spin this......clearly this was more about trying to identify who is going to help us next spring and not winning the games. Most pitchers didn't go more than 1 inning. Cal Carver looked the part. So did Garrett Kocis. One other freshman pitcher looked good, but I don't know the kids well enough to tell you for sure who it was. Need to hit better for sure. Clayton was nails. Just a little takeaway.

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I'm sure I'll be accused of a variety of things for trying to spin this......clearly this was more about trying to identify who is going to help us next spring and not winning the games. Most pitchers didn't go more than 1 inning. Cal Carver looked the part. So did Garrett Kocis. One other freshman pitcher looked good, but I don't know the kids well enough to tell you for sure who it was. Need to hit better for sure. Clayton was nails. Just a little takeaway.

No doubt about that Doc. But I think the same was probably true of Nebraska. The bottom line is the Shockers were outscored 13-3. And while it is just one fall scrimmage against a quality program (although one that struggled last year largely due to injuries to their ptiching staff) it does reinforce my perception/expectation that this Shocker team will be offensively challenged. If that does prove to be the case then being able to put together a quality pitching staff will be even more critical to the success of this team. These kind of games where the pitching is 1 inning at a time probably don't provide much to go on, especially if you didn't see the game, the results also don't provide any answers but the fact is the Shocks gave up 13 runs in 14 innings which on the face of it is not good. I don't think the concerns about this team stem from this game alone. This game just provides another layer that doesn't do anything to ease those concerns.

As for the scrimmage games, there was a focus on pitch counts so not everything was played at full innnings. Shockers unfortunately gave up a lot of walks. I understand that on base runners were scored as runs if the inning was cut short from pitch counts.

I tend to focus on the positives. There were definitely pitching struggles finding the zone but highlights as well. McGinnis came out on fire for 2 innings and so did the newcomers McCraw, Carver and Plyman. Need to give these guys more mound opportunities if the veterans aren't showing up.

I think that is a valid observation. The fact is, however, that this is the start of year 6 for HCTB. How much time do think a head coach should given for a D-1 baseball rebuild?

My opinion on this is that you should at least see some clear signs of progress by year 3 especially when a coach is hired based primarily on his recruiting prowess.

One thing HCTB has had is more then a fair amount of time to get the job done. Perhaps the athletice administration think he is getting the job done although as far as I know they have not extended his contract. Unfortunately, the fans don't seem to share that opinion as evidenced by declining ticket sales.

I'm not sure what you agreeing with me on - I have only posted as much information I could garner from a variety of sources. It sounds like you have some personal knowledge of what transpired. I think many would appreciate a full scrimmage report.

But the bigger issue - Butler has to show he is now in "re-load", not rebuild. Otherwise, if we are going back into "rebuild" in year 6, WSU might as well cancel the baseball program, level the baseball field and let the university put it to better use. Winners win!

If Todd Butler makes it 6 years through a 7 year contract, without a single NCAA appearance or winning conference record and isn't shown the door because of a one year buyout, then Eck Stadium deserves to be burnt to the ground because that will put the final nail in the coffin that this incompetent administration does not give one single iota about baseball.